Legendary coach helps raise awareness on osteoarthritis

After leading the U.S. men’s basketball team to Olympic gold last year and two weeks before the start of his 30^th season as head coach of Duke University’s men’s basketball team, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), 61, is teaming up with the Arthritis Foundation to help raise awareness of the disease that nearly ended his coaching career 10 years ago.

It was during the 1994 season when Coach K first experienced pain and discomfort in his left hip due to osteoarthritis. Over the next five years, the pain only got worse and in 1999, at the age of 52, Coach K was walking with a limp and coaching Duke basketball games from a chair – an unfamiliar sight to those who had grown accustomed to seeing his active and energetic coaching style.

“Most people know Coach K as a legendary coach and humanitarian, but very few know the impact osteoarthritis had on his life before he was able to take control over it,” said John H. Klippel, MD, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. “Unfortunately, many people are not aware of how serious, painful and life-altering a disease like osteoarthritis can be and what the options are to prevent or treat it across a continuum of care.”

Coach K had his left hip replaced in April 1999 and underwent rehabilitation from April to June. In June he was back to doing his previous activities and was no longer in pain, no longer walking with a limp and his range of motion had improved. In October 2000, he was back on the court running up and down the sidelines -- he didn’t miss a season. One year later, Coach K led Duke to its third NCAA national championship further solidifying his reputation as one of the top college basketball coaches of all time.

In 2002, Coach K had another successful hip replacement and rehabilitation on his right hip after experiencing similar symptoms. Later that same year he was back to coaching in one of the best years of his career.

“I wish I had made the decision to have hip replacement sooner. I had exhausted all the non-surgical options, but still put off the surgery. This cost me some quality of life and it almost cost me the joys I continue to experience as a coach.”

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by the loss of cartilage in the joint and changes in bone. Mild to moderate osteoarthritis may be managed with diet and exercise and the occasional use of acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help reduce joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Joint replacement surgery is a consideration for people with advanced arthritis associated with joint damage, serious limitations in physical mobility and an overall reduced quality of life.